LAST WEEK’S COMICS TODAY With Dr. Christy Blanch

This week, I’m finding comics really inspiring. I’m not sure why sometimes things hit harder than other times, but it mostly has to do with what’s going on with your life at a certain moment. Right now my life is FULL of things that I can’t control and others where I can. I’m trying to sell a house and fighting with a very stubborn zoning commission that is super frustrating (both mentally and financially!) but I also submitted everything for my doctorate and that part of my life is complete now.

It’s a crazy time and so I guess I am looking to comics for inspiration. It’s just something I do. So this week, I am going to include my favorite lines from the books I choose.

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Rock Candy Mountain #1 from Kyle Starks with colors by Chris Schweizer is one of Image’s best choices yet. It’s 100 percent fun, the storytelling is some of Starks’ best (read Sexcastle if you haven’t yet!), and there is a terrific, short academic article in the back about the inspiration for the title, the folk song “Big Rock Candy Mountain.”

My favorite line from the book (and trust me, it was hard to pick a favorite one): “I think I might be in more of a help situation instead of an advice one.”

This is my life story. I need it on a shirt. My whole life right now is advice and I just need help. It’ll get there. Anyway, I can’t wait for #2 to come out. And don’t forget, if you are in the Muncie, Indiana, area on May 6, Kyle will be at my shop, Aw Yeah Comics, for Free Comic Book Day!

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Next, X-Men Gold #1 from Marvel, Mark Guggenheim, Ardian Syaf, Jay Leisten and Laura Martin. This was a great issue to introduce people to the X-Men, which can be really complicated if you don’t know who they are. I really love a good X-Men story and this is one of those. Favorite line? When Rachel Grey, now going by the heroic identity Prestige, explains why Kitty Pryde wanted her to leave the names Marvel Girl and Phoenix in the past: “She wants me looking forward.” This is exactly what people tell me to do. It’s good advice so I think I will take it!

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Finally, Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor — Ghost Stories #1 from Titan, George Mann, Ivan Rodriguez and Diijo Lima. I love Doctor Who and I am already mourning the loss of Peter Capaldi as the Doctor. Yes, I know we have another season to go but I really adored him as 12. (And remember BBC — I’m a doctor now AND available!! Call me!) Favorite line from this book? “The universe doesn’t wait for a good time.” So true.

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Lightning Round!Eleanor & the Egret #1 from AfterShock, John Layman, Sam Kieth and Ronda Pattinson. I’ll take a chance on anything Layman and this book did not disappoint. … Image’s Extremity #2 from Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer continues its excellence from the first issue. Get on this book while you can. … Black Cloud #1 from Image, Jason Latour, Ivan Brandon, Greg Hinkle and Matt Wilson is one not to miss.

And lastly, just a reminder: Pre-ordering books is so important to comic shops. And for everyone else involved, too.

Anyway, that’s it! Until next week, keep reading comics and be kind to one another.